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11-12-2022, 02:02 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Donie,Texas
Posts: 208
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Any advantage of long gear vs short?
I'm trying to decide on gear leg length for my 4 build. I have a nos mount with short gear legs available.
My question is:
What advantages are gained with the long gear legs?
Thanks
__________________
Frank
RV6-N164FJ sold sadly
Legal Eagle w/Verner 3VW. Sold
Rans S7s. Sold
Baby Ace- A Hoot to fly!
Bearhawk LSA- building
RV4- in progress
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11-12-2022, 02:14 PM
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Join Date: May 2020
Location: Seattle
Posts: 153
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Clearance
Prop clearance is the big one and it is especially true of you go with a constant speed and/or o-360. Level attitude my -4 with 360 and hartzel has about 6 or 7 inches when I pick the tail up off the ground.
__________________
Bought an O-360 RV4 to fly while building a -10.
Started March 2020
Emp completed September 2020
Fuse started October 2020
Mated the tailcone January 2021
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11-12-2022, 07:03 PM
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sherman, CT
Posts: 1,106
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Whichever you decide, try and get pre-drilled gear legs if available. Aligning and drilling the gear legs is a real PITA.
__________________
Jake
RV6 #20477 completed 1991 sold.
RV7 #72018 N767T first flight 11/21/2017
(KOXC)Oxford, CT, (0NY0)North Creek, NY.
1941 J3 Cub skis, floats.
Current Project Javron Super Cub
Thank You Doug!
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11-12-2022, 08:30 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Orlando
Posts: 957
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I cannot state this as fact; however, it was interesting to hear and worth some validation. A well known and respected TW instructor in Winter Haven FL claims that the short leg 4 is not (always?) in full stall at touchdown thus making it less safe to a degree vs other tail draggers. I’m sure this will be a bit controversial here but it made sense at the time. Not debating wheel versus three point landings. I’d always wondered what the community here would say and this thread seems a decent place to broach this topic.
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11-12-2022, 10:51 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: up up and away
Posts: 400
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from some old vans pub
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11-13-2022, 06:26 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Posts: 1,654
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Either is fine, but..
I've flown both and I built my 4 with longs because that was standard at the time. I would build long again and recommend for others. Your unused short set would probably sell to rebuilders or repairs quickly if you chose to order longs. The 4 lands 3 point slightly better with longs, but if I have a PAX, I can still hit the TW first . I believe resale is better with longs, but if I was shoping, I would not let short vs long be a deal breaker. They are all incredible machines.
__________________
Bill E.
RV-4/N76WE
8A7 / Advance NC
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11-13-2022, 01:52 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Payson, AZ
Posts: 123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fixnflyguy
I would not let short vs long be a deal breaker. They are all incredible machines.
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+1
IMHO, there are many other dealbreakers way above gear length.
FWIW, I have a short gear -4. The flatter landing attitude means that it flys onto the deck with all 3 points. I find the lower AOA at touchdown is an advantage in gusty crosswinds.
__________________
"The plane won't build itself..." RV-7A N7.62MM sold
-RV4 purchased. Extensive refurbishment complete. “Takes off by it’s self, flys hands off, lands by it’s self...”
-HRII project: paint and panel to go!
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11-13-2022, 03:08 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 11,647
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Freemasm
I cannot state this as fact; however, it was interesting to hear and worth some validation. A well known and respected TW instructor in Winter Haven FL claims that the short leg 4 is not (always?) in full stall at touchdown thus making it less safe to a degree vs other tail draggers. I’m sure this will be a bit controversial here but it made sense at the time. Not debating wheel versus three point landings. I’d always wondered what the community here would say and this thread seems a decent place to broach this topic.
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None of the tailwheel RVs are at "full stall" in 3-point attitude!
Longer gear gives better prop clearance. Shorter gear gives better forward visibility while taxiing. Landing attitude doesn't make a huge difference. You learn to land whatever you have.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century. Over 1,000 certifications accomplished. Discount for Veterans, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1, Lifetime EAA.
Recipient of EAA Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
Last edited by Mel : 11-13-2022 at 09:17 PM.
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11-13-2022, 04:28 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: LSZF
Posts: 1,155
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Quote:
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None of the tailwheel RVs are at "full stall" in 3-point attitude!
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Well, my humble experience on the -8 says otherwise… |
11-13-2022, 04:34 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: San Diego
Posts: 672
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan 57
Well, my humble experience on the -8 says otherwise…
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And my humble expedience in the -8 says otherwise to your humble experience. 
My experience has been the -8 three point attitude is not a full stall at landing attitude.
__________________
RV-4, N6234L
Paid, Jan 2023
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